Vulcan rugby player returns to Olympics with medal hopes

By Lethbridge Herald on July 25, 2024.

Photo by Tyler Cave - Vulcan’s Keyara Wardley, seen here at a practice in Madrid, will be representing Canada at her second Olympic Games in women’s rugby 7s.

Justin Seward – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – sports@lethbridgeherald.com

Vulcan’s Keyara Wardley is getting ready for her second opportunity to represent Canada as a part of the rugby 7s team on the Olympic stage in Paris.

“It’s such an honor to represent Canada, and to do it again at my second Olympic Games is really special,” said Wardley.

“Representing Canada also reflects the community around me, whether it’s teammates who have helped push us (to) get to this position or members of the community who continue to show their support. I do it for them because I wouldn’t be in this position if they didn’t play a part.”

Wardley agreed that the experience will be different this time around compared to the last Summer Games in Tokyo.

“ We have three players returning from Tokyo, so we have a very different team from (the) last Olympics,” said Wardley.

“We’ve been training together almost every day for the past three years. We’re a young squad but are very excited and ready to play on the main stage.”

Wardley sees Canada contending for a medal this time around.

“Eyes are definitely set on a medal this year,” she said.

“We finished fourth in the Grand Final in Madrid at the end of our season. We know we have more in the tank and have had time to wrinkle out some of the creases.”

Wardley is looking forward to playing in front of friends and family in a sold out stadium.

She feels the support being from small town Vulcan.

“It doesn’t take much for the town to rally around and show their support,” said Wardley.

“ I just hope every time I run out on the pitch I can put a smile on their faces and make Vulcan proud,” she said.

Wardley credits her family for always supporting her and helping get her the opportunity to do what she loves.